Helsinki is the capital city of
Finland. It is the most populated city of Finland, and its urban area is so far the most populated of all metropolitan areas in Finland. Helsinki serves as the seat for the Uusimaa region, and it remains a vital spot for education, politics, culture, research, and finance in Finland.
The city has a convenient location along the shores of the Gulf of Finland, and is bordered by Tallinn, Estonia to the south, Stockholm, Sweden to the west, and Saint Petersburg, Russia to the east. The history of Helsinki is somewhat tied to these three cities. Currently, Helsinki is one of the most livable cities in the world, and it has one of the highest living standards in the world.
The Helsinki Cathedral, also the Finnish Evangelical Lutheran Cathedral Church, is one of the significant attractive spots in the city, standing tall in white marble stones and stunning domes within Kruukukhaka region of the city. The Kiasma building is another of the common landmarks in Helsinki, featuring an intricately designed contemporary museum done by Architect Steven Holl. Another attractive spot in Helsinki is the Parliament House of Finland located within the Töölö district area.
Visitors like to tour the Suomenlinna area, a stunning region that is among the UNESCO World Heritage Sites, featuring a scenic magnificence that cuts across eight islands in one massive sea fortress. Other activities include sightseeing and fun aboard the many cruise ships and ferries that surround the city. Picnicking and photography are everyday happenings in the numerous natural parks throughout Helsinki.
The city of Helsinki experiences a humid continental climate classified as Dfb under the Köppen climatic classification. The weather is characteristic of mildly cold winters with shorter snow periods and moderately warm summers with extended daylight hours. The climate is influenced by both the Baltic Sea breezes and North Atlantic Currents.
Winter feels much warmer than registered, with the temperature barely dropping lower than -10°C (14°F). Snowfall is not rare but occurs for only a few days in the entire year.
Summer has mildly warm days, with the temperature barely rising above 25°C (77°F). The humidity is tolerable, and night temperature ranges tend to be a lot warmer than registered.
The peak of the travel period to Helsinki is between
May and
August during summer. The days are not only warm and pleasant; the daylight hours are also extended to allow for more time to tour the city even late into the night. The rest of the seasons are mildly clod to cold, and people retreat indoors to keep out the extreme chill. This period also has most of the events and festivals taking place, more reason for the larger crowds.
In August, Helsinki holds the Flow Festival, where everything music is heard and awarded, beginning with jazz and Indian music. The Helsinki Festival is held annually between August and
September, featuring musical concerts, dance shows, and art displays in various venues across the city. Another event is the famous Baltic Herring Fair that is held in
October, featuring open-air outdoor stalls for the public. And then in
December, Helsinki showcases the St. Thomas Christmas Market with numerous stalls and shops selling wine and Christmas gifts inside the Senate Square.